December 2023
David Martinez (guitar) Recital (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) A release that shows the guitar at its traditional best [ZT]
Novák: Concentus biiugis, Choreae vernales, Concerto for two pianos (Supraphon)
Jan Novák’s daughters record his scores with vitality and filial authority [JW]
Beethoven: Late piano sonatas (Danacord)
Moving, inspirational recordings of late masterpieces [JF]
Poston: Carols and Anthems (Naxos)
Impressive rediscovery of much beautiful but unfamiliar music by a familiar composer [NB]
Vivaldi, D Scarlatti, Caldara: Cantatas (Capriccio)
A release well worth revisiting a decade later [SG]
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé (Chandos)
An enthusiastic welcome for a newly edited score of Ravel’s balletic masterpiece [PCG]
Schillings: String Quartet, String Quintet (cpo)
(Déjà Review) If only all recordings of unknown chamber music could be so well done [LF]
Strauss, Johann Jr.: Die Fledermaus (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) A vocally definitive version [RMK]
A Child’s Christmas: Orchestral Music for Christmas (Heritage)
Enjoyable, approachable, interesting pieces [JF]
Albéniz: Suites Iberia, Española & España (CAvi-Music)
Splendid piano music played most capably on the guitar [ZT]
Christmas from the Chapel Royal (Resonus)
A fine all-male choir in an unusual, well-balanced programme to suit a wide variety of tastes [GH]
Gaito: Chamber Works for Piano & Strings (cpo)
A joy from start to finish [SG]
Rodwell: Jack Sheppard (Retrospect Opera)
A problematic genre gives a reviewer problems [JW]
Beethoven: Violin Sonatas (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) The greatest Beethoven violin sonatas performed by arguably the greatest duo partnership of the last century [SHJ]
Cherubini: Medea (RCA)
(Déjà Review) A mouth-watering cast gives a memorable performance [CF]
Rachmaninov: Piano works (Alpha)
A treat for Rachmaninov enthusiasts [DMD]
Hartmann: Piano Works Vol. 5 (Danacord)
Danish romantic piano music, full of interest, gives much pleasure [JF]
Cartellieri: Complete Symphonies (cpo)
Worthy of your attention [SG]
Advent Live Vol. 3 (Signum Classics)
A varied and very enjoyable programme of music for Advent [JQ]
1929: The Wild Sounds of the 20s (BR Klassik)
The luscious hot dance music of Eduard Künneke meets Eisler’s boring agit-prop [JW]
Bach: Keyboard Concertos (Apex)
Marvellous performances of marvellous music [TB]
Alwyn: Film Music Vol. 2 (Chandos)
An excellent well-contrasted compilation of important British film music that needed to be rescued from oblivion [IL]
Bach: Goldberg Variations (Solaire)
…something rich and strange [DC]
Wolf-Ferrari: I quatro rusteghi (Rubicon)
An odd and at times rather sharp-edged and disconcerting satirical comedy [RMo]
 |
 |
 |
Featured Naxos review |
 |
 |
 |
 |
